“Sorry to burst your mother’s dream, but I’m merely an earl.”
She stared at him. He sounded apologetic. Embarrassed. She frowned and patted his hand. “Don’t worry, Henry. I’ve heard dukes and even marquesses have some pretty serious inbreeding issues. The problem occurs less with earls, because who would marry a cousin just to be a countess? You should consider yourself lucky.” Her hand felt comfortable sitting on top of Henry’s, so she left it there. “You seem to have survived your destiny without too much dim-wittedness. You did graduate from college, after all. Not with a useful degree, but not everyone can be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. I’m sure this country needs anthropologists to maintain the empire. You’re doing the best you can considering your less-than-desirable circumstances.”
Henry’s seductive chuckle warmed parts of her she’d thought had died after her nightmare with Luc. “I’ve never been pitied for my title before. Thank you.”
“So.” She pulled back her hand, placed it on her lap, and tried not to sigh over the heat remaining on her palm. “What should I call you? Hmmmm. I can’t call you Earl, because I’d be reminded of a cousin from South Carolina. Earl Harper Jr. He never did finish third grade, but he can do his sums real well now that he works at the Laundromat. And being an American, I’d feel awkward calling you lord or sir. ”
More crinkles appeared in his eyes with more laughter. “You’d best stick with Henry then.”
“Henry it is.” She liked his name. Reassuring and trustworthy.
In his presence, the strain of the past few days began to dissipate. Why run away from a comfortable house with warm food and a smiling companion? Perhaps she could stay a day or two.
He stood and led her through the great hall. It had been converted to a family room with three large sitting areas. One in front of a fireplace, one in front of a large-screen television, and one overlooking the most exquisite formal gardens and miles of hillside. The enormous window framing the scene must have been installed in the past fifty years, allowing light to pour into what would otherwise be a dark space.
Overstuffed couches and brown leather chairs filled each nook. She was ready to grab some popcorn and flop down on one of the couches for a movie night.
“My favorite place to relax.” Henry surveyed the room corner to corner while he crossed to the back door.
“I see why. It’s a wonder you ever return to the university.”
“That’s the brilliant thing about my academic position. I’m close enough to escape here on weekends. And I’m away enough to revel in returning.”
“Sounds like a perfect life.”
“Almost. It’ll be better when the children arrive.”
Children? Shouldn’t he focus on finding a wife first?
Chapter Eight
Henry led Gabe into the formal gardens. They stayed on the pea-gravel walkway to avoid the mud that always arrived when winter faded into spring. Usually the tulips arrived in time for spring recess, but this year, the cold had pushed them off a few weeks.
Gabe looked different with her shorter black hair and brown eyes. The hair color didn’t suit her, but neither did that pink disaster. The brown eyes, however, had to be part of the original. The color evoked his favorite brandy dropped into melted dark chocolate. Real. Honest. Decadent.
She walked lightly over the path, almost skipping. Her eyes took in every corner of the yard. “Beautiful. Do you have a grounds staff?”
“I hired a gardener to maintain the formal gardens. A few people from town come and assist on a volunteer basis. In exchange, I open the property to hikers.”
“What a perfect spot for an afternoon stroll.” She stalled out near the end of the rose garden and pointed toward the large hedge maze. A rare and beautiful smile graced her pixie face. “I’ve always wanted one of those, but my mother never saw the point.” She clapped her hands together, and her toes bounced under her until it seemed as if she’d levitated off the ground. “Race you to the center. Winner gets a prize.”
She charged into the maze with the enthusiasm of a young schoolgirl at recess.
Henry watched her run off. He entered the maze and breathed in the smell of the hawthorn hedges. Pungent and earthy. His feet sank into the moist ground. Standing still for a moment, he paused to listen for the most exasperating but enchanting woman alive. Her giggles floated over a few rows of bushes. He made three turns and sat on the stone bench in the center waiting for her.
Gabe turned into the center circle and frowned. “You beat me.”
Her cheeks glowed a healthy pink. She jogged over to the bench, stood a few seconds to catch her breath, and then sat next to him. The sheer joy in her eyes replaced the strain he’d observed when she’d left his house in Oxford.
“After hundreds of forays into the maze, if I didn’t win, I’d have to blame it on the inbreeding.”
“Touché.”
They sat in companionable silence. A subtle Mona Lisa smile graced Gabe’s face. Her top teeth peeked out between two lush lips. He wanted to lean in and…he kissed her. It couldn’t be helped really. Her full and glossy lips had been the perfect landing spot for his own. And she kissed him back. Soft, simple, and sweeter than his favorite peppermints shipped in from Greenwich. He became lost in her.
When they separated, Gabe stared at him, wide-eyed and lips slightly open. An invitation? He wouldn’t push his luck.
“So anyway,” she tried to change the subject, but the blush on her cheeks and the way she bit her bottom lip kept the memory of their kiss dangling in front of them. “I guess that was your prize.”
“My prize?”
“Getting to the center of the maze first.”
He laughed and pecked her on the cheek. “Nice try, Sunshine, but as the winner, I’ve earned the right to choose the prize I want.”